Lullabies
S
Seal
lullaby
See
the baby’s cradle
Shoheen
sho
Sing
a song at twilight
Sing
a song of bedtime
Sleep,
baby, sleep
Sleep,
little seed
Sleep
little pigeon / Japanese lullaby
Sleep,
my little one, sleep
Sleep
my little treasure
Sleep,
O sleep!
Sleepy,
sleepy eyes
Slumber
in Spring
Slumber,
my little one
Softly
canary sings a song / Yurikago no Uta
Softly,
softly rock
Star
light, star bright
Stars
and daisies
Stars
of the summer night
Stars
shining
Suliram
Such a
beautiful thing
Sweep
away
Sweet
and low
Also
see:
Maranoa lullaby an Aboriginal song
Last updated: 5/29/2023
9:42 AM
The songs below are compiled, illustrated and
sometimes adapted by Dany Rosevear
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page
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songs click on 🔊
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author sing a song click on the title at:
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© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved
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Seal lullaby 🔊
A poem by
Rudyard Kipling. Music by Dany
Rosevear. |
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Oh! hush thee, my baby, The night is behind us, And black are the waters That sparkled so green. The moon, o'er the combers, Looks downward to find us At rest in the hollows That rustle between. Where billow meets billow, Then soft be thy pillow; Ah, weary wee flipperling, Curl at thy ease! The storm shall not wake thee, Nor shark overtake thee, Asleep in the arms Of the slow-swinging seas! |
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See the baby’s cradle 🔊
A beautifully simple lullaby. ED087019.pdf p.472 Music by Dany Rosevear. With palms up,
intertwine fingers to make a cradle and gently rock from side to side. |
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See the baby’s cradle, Rocking to and fro; Listen to my lullaby, Soft and sweet and low, Soft and sweet and low. |
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Shoheen sho 🔊
A simple
lullaby based on Celtic songs of the same name. Words and
music adapted and arranged by Dany Rosevear. |
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Baby dear, All is well Gentle winds blow near. Birdie sleeps, In the nest, Sun is sinking In the west. Alernative 4th line: For our love is near. As you slumber here. |
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Sing a song at
twilight 🔊
‘Just a song
of twilight’ or Love’s own sweet song’ was written by J. L. Molloy 1884. The
words here were adapted by Albert E. Wier in his wonderful anthology ‘Songs
children love to sing’ published in 1916. |
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Sing a song at twilight, when the lights are low; And the flickering shadows, softly come and go, Whipporwill’s a singing, robin’s in his nest. May our song at twilight lull you to rest, Lull you to sweet rest. |
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Sing a song of
bedtime 🔊
A sleepy time
song. Words and
music by Dany Rosevear. |
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Sing a song of bedtime, a pocket full of sleep. Underneath their duvets, children snuggle deep. Sing a song of dreamland as hand in hand we’ll fly, In and out the moonbeams bright for playtime in the
sky. Sing a song of bedtime, a pocket full of sleep. Underneath their duvets, children snuggle deep. Sing a song of dreamland, we’ll sail the seas of
night, All around the twinkling stars then back for morning
light. |
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Sleep, baby, sleep 🔊
Words by Mabel
F. Wilson to a German tune. From ‘Music Time 44 songs for young children’
published by OUP in 1961. |
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Your mother watch will keep. The little birds have found
their nest And gently fold their wings to
rest. Sleep, baby, sleep. Sleep, baby, sleep: The stars begin to peep. The fleecy lambs no longer play, But dream of frolic another day. Sleep, baby, sleep. |
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Sleep little pigeon 🔊
This poem ‘Japanese
Lullaby’ by Eugene Field - 1850-1895 was inspired by Japanese imagery. He
also wrote Winken, Blinken and Nod’. Find more of his poetry here: view
(umsystem.edu) The music here
is by Eric H. Thiman from ‘The half-way house song book’ published 1923.
Adapted and arranged by Dany Rosevear. |
|
Sleep, little pigeon, and fold your wings,— Little blue pigeon with velvet eyes; Sleep to the singing of mother-bird swinging— Swinging the nest where her little one lies. Away out yonder I see a star,— Silvery star with a twinkling song; To the soft dew falling I hear it calling— Calling and twinkling the night along. In through the window a moonbeam comes,— Little gold moonbeam with misty wings; All silently creeping, it asks, "Is he sleeping— Sleeping and dreaming while mother sings?" Up from the sea there floats the sob Of the waves that are breaking upon the shore, As though they were groaning in anguish and moaning— Bemoaning the ship that shall come no more. But sleep, little pigeon, and fold your wings,— Little blue pigeon with mournful eyes; Am I not singing?—see, I am swinging— Swinging the nest where my darling lies. |
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Sleep, little seed 🔊
A gentle song
for the beginning of Spring. Words and
music by Dany Rosevear. |
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Sleep, little seed, when the wild winds blow; Sleep, little seed, through the frost and snow; Sleep, little seed, till the sun shines warm Then rise little seed to greet the new dawn. You may be a flower, you may be a tree, You may be a pumpkin or a child just like me; So sleep, little seed for as long as you may To rise up and reach for the blue sky some day. |
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Sleep, my little one,
sleep 🔊
A gentle song
for a day or night time sleep. |
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Sleep, my little one, sleep, Under the starry sky, The pale moon above watches over you, Harm shall never come by. Sleep, my little one, sleep, Under the bright blue sky, Mother Earth watches over you, Harm shall never come by. |
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Sleep my little
treasure 🔊
Based on ‘At
the cradle’ from Lyric Pieces Op. 68. A lullaby by Edvard Hagerup Grieg (1843-1907)
Adapted, arranged and set to words by Dany Rosevear. |
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Sleep my little treasure, my dearest one, Stars will keep a watch ‘til the night is done, I will rock your cradle, croon a lullaby, As the friendly moon smiles up in the sky. May you recall every day of your life; May my warm arms keep you safe from strife. In my arms a-rocking you shall gently lie, As the little stars twinkle way up high. Sleep my little child in your cosy bed, Softly on your pillow rest your downy head., Sleepy little child you’re my joy and light, Close those tired eyes, sleep all through the night. Sleep my little treasure, my dearest one, Stars will keep a watch ‘til the night is done, I will rock your cradle, croon a lullaby, As the friendly moon smiles up in the sky. |
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Sleep, O sleep! 🔊
From ‘Mother’s
Nursery Songs’ written by Thomas Hastings and published in 1848; most of
these songs are of their time when childhood deaths were common, as was the
talk of the poor heathen child in other lands. They were written with the
purpose of instilling good behaviour in the young child and were accompamied
by a strong religious and moral fervour. This one, however, is quite
wonderful and has just had minor adaptations made to the words. |
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Sleep,
O sleep! While
breezes so softly are blowing; Sleep,
O sleep! While
streamlets so gently are flowing. Sleep,
O sleep! Sleep, O sleep! Sleep,
O sleep! While
flocks in the meadows are straying, Sleep,
O sleep! While
lambkins are merrily playing, Sleep,
O sleep! Sleep, O sleep! Sleep,
O sleep! While
birds in the forests are singing, Sleep,
O sleep! While
echoes of music are ringing, Sleep,
O sleep! Sleep, O sleep! Sleep,
O sleep! While
angels are watching beside thee, Sleep,
O sleep! May
blessings forever betide thee, Sleep,
O sleep! Sleep, O sleep! . |
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Sleepy, sleepy eyes 🔊
A simple
soporific cradle song. ‘Teddy’ can be replaced by child’s
favourite night time toy e.g. rabbit, blanket which gives child a little kiss
at the point of singing its name. Words and
music by Dany Rosevear. |
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The stars are out, the moon is
high, Wise stories told, then
lullabies, Time to close your sleepy eyes, Sleepy, sleepy eyes. There’s dreams to dream in
comfort deep, Teddy dear will night watch
keep, Close those sleepy little eyes, Sleepy, sleepy eyes, sleepy,
sleepy eyes. |
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Slumber in Spring 🔊
A fairy needs
to sleep just as we do and in Spring can find all it needs for a good nap. A
poem by Elizabeth Gould. Music by Dany Rosevear. Take a twig of
pussy willow, ask the children to close their eyes and gently stroke the
little furry catkins on their cheeks. |
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Grey pussy-willows For fairy pillows, So soft for fairy's head; Cherry-petals sweet For a cool, clean sheet, Green moss for a fairy
bed. Fragrant violet for a
coverlet. And hush! down the hill's
green sweep, Comes the wind's soft sigh For a lullaby; Sound, sound will a fairy
sleep. |
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Slumber, my little
one 🔊
This is a song
that can be heard in the evening around the campfires in the U.S. It can be sung
in two parts: "Slumber,
my little one, Slumber my pretty one," - Google Search. Also known as ‘Slumber, slumber’. Words by M.
Louise Baum (1867-1941) and music by Arthur B. Targett. Found in ‘Girl
Scouts-Sing Together’ and ‘Chansons De Notre Chalet’ Music arranged
by Dany Rosevear. |
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Slumber, my little one, Slumber my pretty one, Float on the starry stream; Worlds of all loveliness, wonderful world, Filling your magical dream. Slumber so peacefully, Slumber so happily, Lifted beyond the blue, Where in the starlight the moon is a boat, Quietly carrying you. La, la + whistle verse |
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Softly canary sings a song Yurikago no uta 🔊
A Japanese lullaby, ‘Yurikago no Uta’ written by Hakushū Kitahara, music by Shin Kusakawa. Translated freely into English by
Dany Rosevear. |
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Softly canary sings a song, A lullaby that’s just for you, Hush my darling, Hush my darling, Hush my little one. High up above your swaying cot, Loquat fruits dance up and down, Hush my darling, Hush my darling, Hush my little one. Dear little squirrel swings the rope, Rocks your cradle tenderly, Hush my darling, Hush my darling, Hush my little one. Yellow moon shines gently down, Wishing you the sweetest dreams, Hush my darling, Hush my darling, Hush my little one. Kanariya ga utau yo, Nenneko nenneko nenneko yo. |
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This lovely
Austrian Christmas lullaby ‘Still, still, still, weil's Kindlein schlafen
will’ is loosely translated by Helen Henschel in ‘A third sixty songs for
little children’; It does not appear to be a familiar one but I have used it
for Nativity plays throughout my teaching life. I have adapted two further verses as sung by
Trinity Church in Boston, hopefully in the same tradition. |
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Softly, softly, rock my baby fast asleep. The little stars look down from heaven, Angels through the window peep, So softly, softly rock my baby fast asleep. Hush, hush, hush, hear the gently falling snow, For all is quiet, the world is sleeping, Stars above thy vigil keeping, Hush, hush, hush, hear the gently falling snow, Dream, dream, dream, my dearest little one. While stars a-twinkling without number, Watch you as you sweetly slumber, Dream, dream, dream, my dearest little one. |
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Wishing when we see a shooting or
falling star is a lovely tradition, possibly one from ancient times, to pass
on to our children. It is also a custom to wish as the first star of the
evening appears. This nursery rhyme has the Roud
number #16339. |
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Star light, star bright, First star I see tonight; Wish I may, wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight. |
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Stars and daisies 🔊
A night
and day lullaby. From
"Songs for Little Children," for the Kindergarten and Primary
Schools, by Eleanor Smith published 1887. Adapted
and arranged by Dany Rosevear. |
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The
stars are tiny daisies high, Ope’ning
and shutting in the sky, While
daisies are the stars below, Twinkling
and sparkling as they grow. The
star buds blossom in the night, And
loves the moon’s calm tender light, But
daisies bloom out in the day, Watching
the bright sun on his way. |
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Stars of the summer
night 🔊
Words by
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, music by Isaac Baker Woodbury. A poem
for a lady and lover but with one word changed makes a beautiful lullaby. It
can easily be modified for a baby boy
with ‘laddie’or just ‘baby’ and ‘he/him’. |
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Stars
of the summer night, Far
in yon azure deep, Hide,
hide your golden light, She
sleeps, my lady sleeps. She
sleeps, she sleeps, my lady sleeps. Moon
of the summer night, Far
down yon western steeps Sink,
sink in silver light, She
sleeps, my lady sleeps. She
sleeps, she sleeps, my lady sleeps. Wind
of the summer night, Where
yonder woodbine creeps, Fold,
fold thy pinnions light, She
sleeps, my lady sleeps. She
sleeps, she sleeps, my lady sleeps. Dreams
of the summer night, Tell
her, her mother keeps, Watch
while in slumber light, She
sleeps, my lady sleeps. She sleeps,
she sleeps, my lady sleeps. |
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A lullaby from Texas. Ruth Crawford Seeger in ‘American Folk songs for children’ suggests
counting other objects such as buttons and children. For the words below open and close fists to show twinkling stars.
Indicate numbers with fingers. Throw hands forward for ‘Good Lawd’ Move open
hands from side to side for ‘by’m bye’.
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Such a beautiful
thing 🔊
A lullaby for
a beloved child. A tiny new
infant is born and we are smitten, falling in love once again. Words and
music by Dany Rosevear. |
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Love is magical, love is wonderful, Love is a beautiful thing; Like a little boat, through life it floats, Sailing on with billowed wings, Sailing on with billowed wings. “Lulla, lullaby, lulla lullaby,” To my little one sing; For you are magical, you are wonderful, You’re such a beautiful thing, Such a beautiful thing. Soft and gentle the night winds blow, Little stars in the sky skip and stream; As silver strands from storybook land, Weave in and out your dreams, Weave in and out your dreams. Chorus |
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Suliram 🔊
An Indonesian
folk song. Pete Seeger felt this song needed no translation but I rather
liked the one below written by Marc Merson which can be found in Tony
Saleton’s book ‘Singing down the road’ published in 1977. Find more
at: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=33967
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Suliram,
suliram, ram, ram, Suliram,
yang manis, Adu
hai indung suh oorang. Bidjakla
sana dipandang manis. Tingi
la, tingi, si mataha ri, Suliram, Anakla
koorbau mati toortambat, Suliram, Sudala
lama saiya menchari. Baruse
klarung sa ya mendabat. Suliram,
suliram, ram, ram, Suliram,
rest now, my child, As
the earth awaits the cooling shower, So
sleep is waiting for you, my little flower. / my little one. Shadows
are tempting, they want you to play, Suliram, Whispering,
“Come with us, come far away.”Suliram, But
shadows fly off beyond the furthest sea, And
when you waken, you’ll still be here with me. La
suliram, suliram, ram, ram. Suliram
yang manis, Adu
hai indung suh oorang. Bidjakla
sana dipandang manis. |
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Sweep away 🔊
A lovely
Creole lullaby from Louisiana. Here, as in several cultures, the turtle
represents planet earth and is a creature aware of everything around itself. |
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Sweep,
sweep, sweep away, Sweep
the road of dreams; People
say that in the night The
turtle will talk it seems, The
turtle will talk it seems. |
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Sweet and low 🔊
A lullaby by
Lord Alfred Tennyson, music by Joseph Barnby. |
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Sweet and low, sweet and low, Wind of the western sea, Low, low, breathe and blow, Wind of the western sea! Over the rolling waters go, Come from the dying moon, and blow, Blow him again to me; While my little one, while my pretty one, sleeps. Sleep and rest, sleep and rest, Father will come to thee soon; Rest, rest, on mother's breast, Father will come to thee soon; Father will come to his babe in the nest, Silver sails all out of the west Under the silver moon: Sleep, my little one, sleep, my pretty one, sleep. |
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